IIM-B ranks 6th in MBA job market: Survey

TNNApr 13, 2009, 06.23am IST

BANGALORE: Employers are making a B-line for IIM-B, as per a survey. The Indian Institute of Management, Bangalore, (IIM-B) is among the top 10 preferred B-schools in the Asia Pacific region. The QS Global top 200 business schools 2009 survey has put IIM-B at sixth position in the region.

IIM-Ahmedabad, IIM-Calcutta and ISB Hyderabad are a close 11, 12 and 13th rank. Many factors went into the survey, quality of students, specialization, success of alumni and activities of alumni network — sources associated with the research told TOI.

The global survey has thrown up interesting trends in gloomy times. Business schools in India are becoming a major focus for employers as the country's economy demands ever more professional managers. The report lists 200 business schools currently preferred by most international employers for hiring MBA graduates.

The report available with TOI demonstrates that MBA employers around the world are increasingly targeting a broader selection of regionally strong B-schools from which to hire MBA graduates. This trend may be accelerated by the recessionary environment, even as overall MBA hiring numbers fall.

The pressures of globalization mean that beyond the traditional MBA employers, there are growing number of regional MBA employers who may not have the budget to pay the salaries demanded by MBAs from elite schools. As a result, MBAs who are pro-active in their search and flexible in terms of salary expectations are expanding their range of opportunities, even in the time of recession, sources said.

Interestingly, B-schools in the Asia-Pacific region are strengthening their role in the MBA market. "In fact, the number of Asian and Australian schools in the QS global survey has increased from 10 in 2004 to 40 this year, a massive jump reflecting their growing status. It also reflects the importance of Asian recruitment amongst employers.

The Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) is said to be the most exhaustive research on global B-schools. It has won appreciation from the likes of Harvard and Wharton schools.

In the top 30 league is the Delhi University (22nd rank), which figures for the first time, and SP Jain Institute of Management and Research (21 rank). The list consists, 72 schools in North America, 70 in Europe, 40 in Asia Pacific region, 12 in Latin America and 6 in Africa and West Asia.